Know your benefits

If you are retiring, you must maintain your NYSUT membership as a retiree in order to continue participating in NYSUT Member Benefits-endorsed programs. To do this, you must continue membership with the UFT as a retiree.

Adobe Photoshop CS 5 — regularly $999; extended student and teacher edition, for educators, only $199! Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 — regularly $539.95; for educators, only $89.95! These are some of the bargains that teachers are entitled to. Even building a teacher website to help reach parents and students can be free or very low-cost.

The UFT Welfare Fund provides a hearing aid benefit of $1,000, as of Jan. 1, 2010. The benefit provides one hearing aid every three years (counted from the date of your last service). The benefit includes a comprehensive audiological evaluation, ear impression and the required visits necessary for the proper fitting/use of the hearing aid.

At one time or another, we all experience challenges in our personal or professional lives. MAP provides trained, professional counselors who can guide in-service members through short-term counseling, at no cost.

Train. Bus. Subway. Ferry. Paratransit. Parking your car at the commuter station. If you travel to work by public transportation, you can take part in the Commuter Benefits Program for UFT members, which now goes beyond New York City to cover the tristate area.

Are you pregnant or planning to start a family? You should know that you have the right to take a leave of absence at any time during your pregnancy with medical documentation or during your baby’s first years.

Do you spend a lot each month on child care? Is your out-of-pocket spending on health care adding up? You may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year in federal and Social Security taxes by enrolling in the city’s Flexible Spending Accounts program. The program allows public school educators and other municipal employees to use pre-tax earnings to cover dependent-care costs or medical expenses not covered by your health plan.

The UFT Welfare Fund provides dental benefits through three types of programs: the Scheduled Benefit Plan, which offers more choices but can entail out-of-pocket expenses; Dentcare, a no-cost dental HMO; and the Florida Dental Discount Plan for year-round Florida residents.

As we head into summer, some of you will be heading out of town or even out of the country. Just remember to take care of your maintenance prescription needs before you pack your bags! For emergencies, always carry your Medco prescription ID card.